What happens during an oral cancer screening?
An oral cancer screening is a short visual and tactile examination of the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue (top, sides and underneath), floor and roof of the mouth, throat and the neck, looking and feeling for sores, patches, lumps or color changes that have no obvious cause. It is usually part of a routine dental exam and takes a few minutes. Most findings are harmless, and the examination cannot diagnose cancer; if something looks unusual the dentist may recheck it in a couple of weeks or refer you to a specialist or physician for a biopsy.
What changes the answer
Tobacco and alcohol use, HPV, age, sun exposure for the lips, a previous diagnosis, and symptoms you report. Risk factors raise attention; they do not mean a finding is cancer.
The steps
- Questions about symptoms, tobacco, alcohol and any sore that has not healed
- Lips and the inside of the cheeks
- Gums and roof of the mouth
- Tongue: top, sides and underneath, with gauze to hold the tip
- Floor of the mouth, by feel
- Throat and tonsils
- Neck and jaw lymph nodes, by feel
- Note of anything to recheck
What is looked for
A white or red patch, an ulcer that has not healed in about two weeks, a lump or thickening, a rough or crusted area, numbness, or difficulty swallowing without a cause. Most patches and sores are irritation, infection or harmless variants.
What happens with a finding
Recheck in two to three weeks after removing an obvious cause such as a sharp edge; if it persists, referral for a biopsy, which is the only way to diagnose. Photographs document size and appearance.
Between visits
Look in your own mouth monthly in good light; report any sore that lasts more than two weeks, a lump, a patch, or hoarseness. Reduce tobacco and alcohol; use lip sun protection. Ask your physician about HPV vaccination where appropriate.
The studio includes a soft-tissue examination in its check-ups (studio).
Next step: Request a consultation or call (805) 565-5111. A request is not a confirmed appointment; the office confirms times during its listed hours (Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm, plus select Fridays).
Self-check and screening steps
Monthly self-check in good light
- Lips, inside and out
- Cheeks
- Gums
- Tongue: top, both sides, underneath
- Floor of mouth
- Roof of mouth
- Throat
- Feel the neck for lumps
Report: a sore lasting more than two weeks; a white or red patch; a lump; numbness; persistent hoarseness or difficulty swallowing.
Guides are general education; an examination is needed for individual advice.
Sources
- Loul Dental Studio: Services — Loul Dental Studio
- Clinician statement — Loul Dental Studio
Sources were current when this guide was last updated.
Educational content, not a diagnosis. Please contact the studio to discuss your own situation.